sweeney



(No Model.) 3 SheVets-Sheet- 3.

' G. W. SWEENEY.

` UAR AXLE BOX. No. 808,579. Patented NOV. Z5, 1884.

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fnvengor UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORG-E W. SWEENEY, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

CAR-AXLE Box.

YEI?ilCIlEICAILIOIN forming part Letters Patent No. 308,579, dated November 25, 1884'.

Application nica August 14, 1884. (No model.)

ToaZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SWEENEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gar-Axle Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vthe construction and arrangement of the journal-bearings, the lubricators, the dust-shields, and the lid-locking devices of car-axle boxes, the novel features being hereinafter fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal section of a box embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a crossseetion thereof. Figs. 3 and tare detail views of the lid and its hinge. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of a pad composing the lubricator. Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the axle-box in the plane m x, Fig. l. Fig. S is aface view y of a modification of the dust-shield detached. Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the same.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

The letter A designates the axle-box, and B the journal, of acar-axle projecting into the box through the usual rear opening, C. The letter D indicates the bearing of the journal. This bearinghas substantially the usual shape, but is composed of a series of transverse plates, D', which are left detached from cach other, and on the upper edges of which rests a pad, F, of lead or other soft metal, the whole being retained in position by a gib, F, which is constructed to engage the plates together with the pad, and in this example is also constructed with an abutment, F', for the end of the j ournal. The detached condition of the plates D' -adapts them to move independently of each other, and since the soft-metal pad E allows the plates to yield in an upward direction they adjust themselves to the journal,while the pad at the same time holds the plates in position thereon, so that the bearing preserves the proper condition in relation to the journal, especially in the deflection thereof by the swaying of the axle-box. Another effect of the plates D' is that the bearing can be renewed in part without destroying the whole in the event of an uneven wear.

Inorder to facilitate the self-adjustment of the plates D', the upper edges thereof are pointed,and preferably by beveling such edges from both sides, as shown in Fig. l, so that the plates lmay readily penetrate the soft-metal pad.

At a distance below the journal B the axlebox has a diaphragm, G, which is concentric to the journal, and provided with openings I,

adjacent to the sides of the box. The purpose of this diaphragm G is to form an oilwell, G', in the bottom of the box; and to convey the oil from this well to the journal I employ awick, J, the ends of which are inserted iu the openings I, to lap the intermediate portion thereof around the axle from a downward direction, as shown in Fig. 2, the wick being of a sufficient length to reach the bottom of the box. A space, K, is left between the diaphragm G and the journal B, to receive the wick J, and also to permit the required play of the journal in introducing or removing the bearing D and its concomitants.

To the wick J are attached metal strips O, which extend transversely thereto on the part which is opposite to the journal and to the edges of the openings I ofthe diaphragm, side by side with each other, Fig. 5, so that the wick is' re-enforced on the part named, and thereby held in proper relation to the journal. The metal strips O may be composed of wire or sheet metal` and each is provided with spurs O', which project inwardly therefrom on thepart opposite to the journal to equal distances, thus tending to counteract the wear of the wick by the journal. 'Iwo sets of the metal strips O are used, they being arranged on opposite sides of the center of the wick, and by this means the wick is permitted to yield to a deflection of the journal without losing its position. Vhen the metal strips O are arranged in sets, they maybe doubled, as Shown in Fig. 6. 4

On the top edge of the front opening, I?, of the box are cast or otherwise formed sockets Q, Fig. 4, which open horizontally inward and coincide with each other, and each of which is provided witha hole, Q', in the end IOC mainder of the hinge consisting of sockets T of the lid, adapted to register with the sockets of the box; further, of bolts U, which are tted into the sockets, and of springs V, which are arranged in the lid-sockets, to hold the bolts in normal positions, the length of the bolts being such that when, under the impulse of the springs, they are forced outward into the sockets of' the box, the bolts intersect the joints of the lid-sockets and box-sockets, as shown iu'Fig. 3, while if the bolts are forced inward into the lid-sockets against the action of the springs the outer ends of the bolts are substantially ilush with the joints named, and the lid is free to be removed. To force the bolts inward, a pin or other suitable instrunient is inserted in the end holes, Q', of the box-sockets.

In the front wall of the axle-box is a channel, S, for supplying the well Gwith oil, and into the mouth of this channel is iitted a stopper, S, for closing it. The free edge of the lid R is arranged to coincide with the channel S, and consequently when the stopper S is put in place it engages such edge and serves to hold the lid in a closed position.

If desirable, the wick .I may be divided ccntrally into two sections-one to each set of reenforcing strips.

The axle-box A is provided at its back end with a chamber, W', for the reception of the dust-shield X. rlhis dust-shield is constructed of a support, fr', and a lining, The support is by preference made of wood, and it is provided with a hole amply large enough to admit the body of the axle inside of its journal. The lining is made of metal, audit is provided with a hole, w3, which iits closely the body of theaxle, as show'n in Figs. 1 and 9.

In the example shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the support cv consists oi' a piece of board which fits the chamber "W in the axle-box; and the lining wi is made in two halves, which are sccured to the support a." by screws or rivets x", as shown in the figures last named.

In the example shown in Figs. l and 7 the support x' consists of a easing, which lits the chamber IV, and which is made in two halves. In the interior of this chamber is placed the lining as?, which is free to move up and down in the casing, and the opening of which hugs the body of the axle.

By constructing the dust-shield of a rigid support, x', and a metallic lining, x2, the wear ofthe opening of the dust-shield is considerably reduced, and an article can be produced which is cheap and durable.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, with a car-axle and axlebox, of the journal-bearing composed of a series of transverse detached plates, and the softrnetal pad resting on the upper edges of the plates.

2. rIhe combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, with a car-axle and axlebox, of the journal-bearing composed of a series of transverse detached plates having pointed upper edges, and the soft-metal pad resting on such edges of the plates.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, with a ear-axle and axlebox, of the journal-bearing composed of a series of transverse detached plates having the upper edges beveled from both sides to apoint, and the soft-metal pad resting on such edges of the plates. n

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, with a car-axle and axlebox, of the journal-bearing composed of a series of transverse detached plates, the softnietal pad resting on the upper edges of the plates, and the gib constructed to engage the bearing together with the pad.

5. The combination, substantially as described, of the car-axle box and thelongitudinal concentric diaphragm extending from side to side of the box, and formed with recesses or openings adjacent to said sides, the diaphragm dividing the box,to form au oil-chainber in the lower portion, with the lubricatingwick extending across the diaphragm, and having its end passed downward through the side recesses or openings thereof.

6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the car-axle box and the longitudinal concentric diaphragm extending from side to side of the box, and formed with recesses or openings adjacent to said sides, the diaphragm dividing the box, to form an oilchamber in the lower portion thereof, with the lubricating-wick extending across the diaphragm, and having the ends passed downward through the side recesses or openings thereof, and the metal re-enforcing strips extending through the body of the wick transversely thereto, and also transversely to the edges of the side recesses in the diaphragm.

7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the car-axle box and the longitudinal concentric diaphragm extending from' side to side of the box, and formed with recesses or openings adjacent to said sides, the diaphragm dividing the box, to form an oilchamber in the lower portion thereof, with the lubricating-wick extending across the diaphragm, and having the ends passed downward through the side recesses or openings thereof, and the metal re-enforciug strips extending through the body of the wick transversely thereto and also transversely to the edges ofthe side recesses in the diaphragm,said re-enforcing strips being each provided with spurs projecting into the wick toward the caraxle.

8. rIhe combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the car-axle box and the longitudinal concentric diaphragm extending from side to side of the box, and formed with recesses or openiu gs adjacent to said sides, the diaphragm dividing the box, to form an oilehambcr in the lower portion thereof, with the lubricating-wick extending across the dia- IOO IIO

phragm, and having the ends passed down- Ward through the side recesses or openings thereof, and the metal re-enforcing strips eX- tending through the body of the Wick transversely thereto and also transversely to the edges of the side recesses in the diaphragm, said re-enforcing strips being arranged in the body of the Wick in two sets, which are respectively on opposite sides ofthe Wick-center, for permitting the Wick to yield to a defiection of the axle-journal.

9. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the box having coincident sockets, provided with end holes on the top edge of the front opening, the lid having sockets adapted to register with the sockets of the box, the bolts fitted into the sockets, and the springs arranged in the lid-sockets, to hold the bolts in normal positions.

10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described7 with a car-axle box having an oil-Well on the bottom and. a supply-channel in the front Wall thereof, of the lid having its free edge arranged to coincide with the supply-channel, and the stopper fitted into the mouth of the channel to close it, and simultaneously hold the lid in a closed condition.

1l. The rigid dustshield X, constructed of a single piece of Wood or other rigid material, he ving an opening for the car-axle journal and a metallic lining to the edge of the said opening of the rigid shield, substantially as described.

l2. The combination,substantiallyashereinbefore described, with an axle-box and with the chamber XV, formed in the inner end thereof, of a casing, x', fitting said chamber, and metallic lining x2, fitting the casing, and constructed to rise and fall in said casing, which its the chamberin the axle-box.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE W. sWnnNnY. [1.. s]

Vitnesses:

W, HAUFF, E. F. KAsTnNrrUBER. 

